2002–03 Nashville Predators season
Professional ice hockey team season
The 2002–03 Nashville Predators season was the Nashville Predators' 5th season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Predators missed the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year.
Off-season
Greg Johnson was named team captain on October 8.[ 1] In addition to being an alternate captain for home games, Scott Walker was briefly interim captain during Johnson's absence due to injury during the season.[ 2]
Regular season
The Predators tied the Calgary Flames , Minnesota Wild and Pittsburgh Penguins for most times shut out, with 10, and tied the Montreal Canadiens for fewest short-handed goals scored, with 2.[ 3] [ 4]
Final standings
[ 5]
Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime loss; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.
Divisions: PA – Pacific, CE – Central, NW – Northwest
Z – Clinched Conference ; Y – Clinched Division ; X – Clinched Playoff spot
Schedule and results
2002–03 regular season[ 6]
October: 1–5–1–2 (home: 1–3–0–0; road: 0–2–1–2)
November: 3–6–3–2 (home: 2–2–1–0; road: 1–4–2–2)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
10
OTL
November 2, 2002
5–6 OT
@ Los Angeles Kings (2002–03 )
1–5–1–3
Recap
11
OTL
November 3, 2002
1–2 OT
@ Phoenix Coyotes (2002–03 )
1–5–1–4
Recap
12
L
November 6, 2002
1–2
@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2002–03 )
1–6–1–4
Recap
13
T
November 7, 2002
2–2 OT
@ San Jose Sharks (2002–03 )
1–6–2–4
Recap
14
W
November 10, 2002
4–3
@ Colorado Avalanche (2002–03 )
2–6–2–4
Recap
15
L
November 12, 2002
1–4
@ Detroit Red Wings (2002–03 )
2–7–2–4
Recap
16
L
November 14, 2002
1–3
Colorado Avalanche (2002–03 )
2–8–2–4
Recap
17
T
November 16, 2002
1–1 OT
Columbus Blue Jackets (2002–03 )
2–8–3–4
Recap
18
L
November 17, 2002
2–4
@ Chicago Blackhawks (2002–03 )
2–9–3–4
Recap
19
T
November 21, 2002
1–1 OT
@ Colorado Avalanche (2002–03 )
2–9–4–4
Recap
20
L
November 23, 2002
2–4
@ Minnesota Wild (2002–03 )
2–10–4–4
Recap
21
W
November 27, 2002
4–2
San Jose Sharks (2002–03 )
3–10–4–4
Recap
22
L
November 29, 2002
1–2
New Jersey Devils (2002–03 )
3–11–4–4
Recap
23
W
November 30, 2002
5–2
Dallas Stars (2002–03 )
4–11–4–4
Recap
December: 6–6–2–0 (home: 3–5–1–0; road: 3–1–1–0)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
24
L
December 3, 2002
1–2
Carolina Hurricanes (2002–03 )
4–12–4–4
Recap
25
W
December 5, 2002
3–2
@ Los Angeles Kings (2002–03 )
5–12–4–4
Recap
26
W
December 7, 2002
4–2
@ San Jose Sharks (2002–03 )
6–12–4–4
Recap
27
L
December 8, 2002
0–3
@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2002–03 )
6–13–4–4
Recap
28
L
December 10, 2002
0–3
Los Angeles Kings (2002–03 )
6–14–4–4
Recap
29
T
December 12, 2002
2–2 OT
St. Louis Blues (2002–03 )
6–14–5–4
Recap
30
W
December 14, 2002
3–1
Minnesota Wild (2002–03 )
7–14–5–4
Recap
31
L
December 17, 2002
0–3
Calgary Flames (2002–03 )
7–15–5–4
Recap
32
L
December 19, 2002
1–3
Vancouver Canucks (2002–03 )
7–16–5–4
Recap
33
T
December 21, 2002
2–2 OT
@ Tampa Bay Lightning (2002–03 )
7–16–6–4
Recap
34
W
December 23, 2002
3–2 OT
@ Florida Panthers (2002–03 )
8–16–6–4
Recap
35
W
December 26, 2002
3–1
Dallas Stars (2002–03 )
9–16–6–4
Recap
36
L
December 28, 2002
2–4
Detroit Red Wings (2002–03 )
9–17–6–4
Recap
37
W
December 30, 2002
3–2
Ottawa Senators (2002–03 )
10–17–6–4
Recap
January: 7–6–2–0 (home: 4–2–1–0; road: 3–4–1–0)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
38
L
January 1, 2003
3–7
Colorado Avalanche (2002–03 )
10–18–6–4
Recap
39
T
January 4, 2003
3–3 OT
Chicago Blackhawks (2002–03 )
10–18–7–4
Recap
40
W
January 6, 2003
5–1
@ Columbus Blue Jackets (2002–03 )
11–18–7–4
Recap
41
W
January 7, 2003
2–1 OT
St. Louis Blues (2002–03 )
12–18–7–4
Recap
42
W
January 11, 2003
4–3 OT
Phoenix Coyotes (2002–03 )
13–18–7–4
Recap
43
L
January 12, 2003
0–2
@ Chicago Blackhawks (2002–03 )
13–19–7–4
Recap
44
L
January 14, 2003
3–4
@ Vancouver Canucks (2002–03 )
13–20–7–4
Recap
45
T
January 16, 2003
2–2 OT
@ Calgary Flames (2002–03 )
13–20–8–4
Recap
46
W
January 18, 2003
3–2 OT
@ Edmonton Oilers (2002–03 )
14–20–8–4
Recap
47
W
January 21, 2003
3–2
Vancouver Canucks (2002–03 )
15–20–8–4
Recap
48
L
January 23, 2003
2–4
New York Rangers (2002–03 )
15–21–8–4
Recap
49
W
January 25, 2003
3–2
Tampa Bay Lightning (2002–03 )
16–21–8–4
Recap
50
W
January 27, 2003
5–1
@ Buffalo Sabres (2002–03 )
17–21–8–4
Recap
51
L
January 28, 2003
1–2
@ Boston Bruins (2002–03 )
17–22–8–4
Recap
52
L
January 30, 2003
1–2
@ Columbus Blue Jackets (2002–03 )
17–23–8–4
Recap
February: 8–2–1–0 (home: 7–1–0–0; road: 1–1–1–0)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
53
T
February 4, 2003
5–5 OT
@ Detroit Red Wings (2002–03 )
17–23–9–4
Recap
54
W
February 8, 2003
3–2
Columbus Blue Jackets (2002–03 )
18–23–9–4
Recap
55
L
February 11, 2003
2–3
Los Angeles Kings (2002–03 )
18–24–9–4
Recap
56
W
February 13, 2003
2–0
New York Islanders (2002–03 )
19–24–9–4
Recap
57
W
February 15, 2003
2–1
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2002–03 )
20–24–9–4
Recap
58
W
February 17, 2003
5–1
Boston Bruins (2002–03 )
21–24–9–4
Recap
59
W
February 20, 2003
4–1
Calgary Flames (2002–03 )
22–24–9–4
Recap
60
L
February 22, 2003
0–4
@ Ottawa Senators (2002–03 )
22–25–9–4
Recap
61
W
February 23, 2003
5–2
@ Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–03 )
23–25–9–4
Recap
62
W
February 25, 2003
5–0
Columbus Blue Jackets (2002–03 )
24–25–9–4
Recap
63
W
February 27, 2003
6–0
Pittsburgh Penguins (2002–03 )
25–25–9–4
Recap
March: 2–8–4–2 (home: 1–4–2–0; road: 1–4–2–2)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
64
W
March 1, 2003
5–4 OT
Chicago Blackhawks (2002–03 )
26–25–9–4
Recap
65
OTL
March 4, 2003
1–2 OT
@ St. Louis Blues (2002–03 )
26–25–9–5
Recap
66
T
March 6, 2003
2–2 OT
Minnesota Wild (2002–03 )
26–25–10–5
Recap
67
W
March 7, 2003
2–1
@ Dallas Stars (2002–03 )
27–25–10–5
Recap
68
L
March 10, 2003
1–3
Montreal Canadiens (2002–03 )
27–26–10–5
Recap
69
T
March 12, 2003
2–2 OT
@ Pittsburgh Penguins (2002–03 )
27–26–11–5
Recap
70
L
March 14, 2003
1–3
@ Minnesota Wild (2002–03 )
27–27–11–5
Recap
71
L
March 15, 2003
0–1
St. Louis Blues (2002–03 )
27–28–11–5
Recap
72
L
March 17, 2003
3–5
Edmonton Oilers (2002–03 )
27–29–11–5
Recap
73
L
March 20, 2003
3–7
@ Vancouver Canucks (2002–03 )
27–30–11–5
Recap
74
T
March 22, 2003
1–1 OT
@ Calgary Flames (2002–03 )
27–30–12–5
Recap
75
OTL
March 23, 2003
2–3 OT
@ Edmonton Oilers (2002–03 )
27–30–12–6
Recap
76
T
March 25, 2003
1–1 OT
Philadelphia Flyers (2002–03 )
27–30–13–6
Recap
77
L
March 27, 2003
1–4
@ Chicago Blackhawks (2002–03 )
27–31–13–6
Recap
78
L
March 29, 2003
2–3
Atlanta Thrashers (2002–03 )
27–32–13–6
Recap
79
L
March 31, 2003
0–3
@ Detroit Red Wings (2002–03 )
27–33–13–6
Recap
April: 0–2–0–1 (home: 0–0–0–1; road: 0–2–0–0)
Legend :
Win (2 points)
Loss (0 points)
Tie (1 point)
Overtime loss (1 point)
Player statistics
Scoring
Position abbreviations: C = Center ; D = Defense ; G = Goaltender ; LW = Left wing ; RW = Right wing
† = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Predators only.
‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Predators only.
Goaltending
† = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Predators only.
‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Predators only.
Awards and records
Awards
Milestones
Transactions
The Predators were involved in the following transactions from June 14, 2002, the day after the deciding game of the 2002 Stanley Cup Finals , through June 9, 2003, the day of the deciding game of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals .[ 9]
Trades
Players acquired
Players lost
Signings
Draft picks
Nashville's draft picks at the 2002 NHL entry draft held at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto , Ontario .[ 68]
Round
#
Player
Nationality
College/Junior/Club team (League)
1
6
Scottie Upshall
Canada
Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
4
102
Brandon Segal
Canada
Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
5
138
Patrick Jarrett
Canada
Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
6
172
Mike McKenna
United States
St. Lawrence University (ECAC)
7
203
Josh Morrow
Canada
Tri-City Americans (WHL)
8
235
Kaleb Betts
Canada
Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL)
9
264
Matthew Davis
Canada
Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
9
266
Steven Spencer
Canada
Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
See also
Notes
^ Petrov wore number 20 in his first three games.
^ Nashville promised not to select Joffrey Lupul with the sixth overall pick in the 2002 draft.
^ In parentheses is the player's free agency group on July 1 if applicable.[ 31]
^ Nashville retained Skrbek’s NHL rights through the 2006–07 season.[ 32]
^ Legault was inactive during the 2002–03 season.[ 34]
^ Nashville retained Cisar’s NHL rights through the 2006–07 season.[ 32]
^ Nashville retained Hubacek’s NHL rights through the 2007–08 season.[ 42]
^ Nashville retained Hentunen’s NHL rights through the 2005–06 season.[ 45]
^ Contract for the 2003–04 season. Mann remained with Milwaukee through the end of the 2003 Calder Cup playoffs .
^ Contract option for the 2004–05 season was exercised by Nashville.
References
^ "Johnson named captain of the Predators" . TSN.ca . October 8, 2002. Archived from the original on November 3, 2002. Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "Walker named interim captain" . Nashville Predators . January 12, 2003. Archived from the original on April 23, 2003. Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "2002-03 NHL Schedule and Results - Hockey-Reference.com" . Hockey-Reference.com .
^ "2002-03 NHL Summary - Hockey-Reference.com" . Hockey-Reference.com .
^ Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2009). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2010 . Dan Diamond & Associates. p. 162.
^ "2002-03 Nashville Predators Schedule" . Hockey-Reference.com . Retrieved November 24, 2022 .
^ "NHL - 2003 YoungStars Rosters" . ESPN.com . January 18, 2003. Retrieved December 21, 2022 .
^ "2002-03 NHL Debuts" . Hockey-Reference.com . Retrieved October 13, 2024 .
^ "Hockey Transactions Search Results" . www.prosportstransactions.com . Retrieved December 1, 2022 .
^ a b c d e "Draft Day Transactions" . TSN.ca . Archived from the original on August 8, 2002. Retrieved November 28, 2022 .
^ "Nashville Predators acquire forward Cameron Mann from Dallas Stars" . Nashville Predators . June 29, 2002. Archived from the original on August 12, 2002. Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ "Nashville Predators acquire rights to forward Tie Domi from Toronto for an eighth-round draft pick in 2003" . Nashville Predators . June 30, 2002. Archived from the original on August 12, 2002. Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ "In Sports from United Press International" . UPI . October 24, 2002. Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "Preds acquire Rem Murray and Tomas Kloucek" . Nashville Predators . December 12, 2002. Archived from the original on February 20, 2003. Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ "Preds acquire Bob Wren from Toronto" . Nashville Predators . December 31, 2002. Archived from the original on June 7, 2003. Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ "Predators Trade Koehler" . OurSports Central . February 4, 2003. Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "Preds acquire Jon Sim from Dallas" . Nashville Predators . February 17, 2003. Archived from the original on April 23, 2003. Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ "Predators get Petrov from Montreal" . UPI . March 4, 2003. Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "Trepanier Traded" . OurSports Central . March 9, 2003. Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "Lasak Returns To Admirals" . OurSports Central . March 10, 2003. Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "Predators Acquire Defenseman" . OurSports Central . March 11, 2003. Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "Nashville Predators sign free-agent forward Brent Gilchrist" . Nashville Predators . July 11, 2002. Archived from the original on August 12, 2002. Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ "Nashville Predators sign free-agent forward Clarke Wilm" . Nashville Predators . July 11, 2002. Archived from the original on August 12, 2002. Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ a b c "Nashville Predators sign forwards Greg Koehler, Cameron Mann and Wyatt Smith" . Nashville Predators . July 15, 2002. Archived from the original on August 12, 2002. Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ "Nashville Predators sign free-agent defenseman Pascal Trepanier" . Nashville Predators . July 16, 2002. Archived from the original on August 12, 2002. Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ a b "Nashville Predators sign free-agent forwards Denis Pederson and Domenic Pittis" . Nashville Predators . July 24, 2002. Archived from the original on August 12, 2002. Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ "Nashville Predators sign free-agent forward Andreas Johansson" . Nashville Predators . September 6, 2002. Archived from the original on October 25, 2002. Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ a b "NO ACTIVITY WHATSOEVER FOR SABRES ON DRAFT DAY" . Buffalo News . October 5, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2022 .
^ a b "Simpson Signed By Nashville" . OurSports Central . December 3, 2002. Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "Preds claim Todd Warriner" . Nashville Predators . March 11, 2003. Archived from the original on April 16, 2003. Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ a b "NHL FREE-AGENT LIST" . Daily Herald . July 2, 2002. Retrieved December 1, 2022 .
^ a b "NHL Releases Free Agent List" . NHL.com . July 1, 2007. Archived from the original on March 6, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2023 .
^ Pavel Skrbek at Hockey-Reference.com , retrieved December 6, 2022
^ "Blades Sign Forward Legault, Two Recalled" . OurSports Central . November 13, 2003. Retrieved December 6, 2022 . (Legault) was sidelined with an injury during the 2002-03 season.
^ "Belfour signs with Toronto - UPI Archives" . UPI . July 2, 2002. Retrieved November 26, 2023 .
^ "Maple Leafs re-sign Domi - UPI.com" . UPI . July 12, 2002. Retrieved November 26, 2023 .
^ "Tuesday's Sports Transactions" . CT Insider . July 17, 2002. Retrieved December 6, 2022 . ST. LOUIS BLUES... Signed F Steve Dubinsky
^ "Boston Bruins sign five players" . OurSports Central . July 18, 2002. Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "Ässät sai pakkansa valmiiksi" . Jatkoaika.com - Kaikki jääkiekosta (in Finnish). July 19, 2002. Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "News" . Geneve-Servette HC . Archived from the original on January 10, 2003. Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "HC JME Znojemští Orli" . www.hcorli.cz . Archived from the original on August 2, 2002. Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "2008 NHL Free Agent List" . NHL.com . July 1, 2008. Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ Petr Hubacek at Hockey-Reference.com , retrieved December 6, 2022
^ "Sports transactions" . Deseret News . August 6, 2002. Retrieved December 5, 2022 . DETROIT RED WINGS—Signed LW Bryan Adams, D Patrick Boileau, D Ed Campbell, G Marc Lamothe and C Mark Mowers.
^ "List of Available Free Agents" . NHL.com . July 1, 2006. Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "Hentunen ja Niemi vahvistavat jokeripakkaa" . Jatkoaika.com - Kaikki jääkiekosta (in Finnish). August 13, 2002. Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "Mason Recalled by Panthers" . OurSports Central . March 27, 2003. Retrieved December 6, 2022 . Mason was signed by Florida as a free agent on August 22, 2002.
^ "STEVE PARSONS" . NHL.com . Retrieved December 6, 2022 . Signed as a free agent by Boston, August 22, 2002.
^ "Aeros Sign Winger Jeremy Stevenson" . OurSports Central . August 28, 2002. Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "Admirals Sign Defensemen Wilford and Henry" . OurSports Central . October 9, 2002. Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "Habs claim Bouillon off waivers" . TSN.ca . October 25, 2002. Archived from the original on November 26, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2022 .
^ "Transactions" . Deseret News . March 9, 2003. Retrieved December 6, 2022 . LOS ANGELES KINGS—Claimed LW Jon Sim off waivers from Nashville.
^ "ERC verstärkt sich weiter - Cameron Mann unterschreibt in Ingolstadt" . ERC Ingolstadt (in German). March 18, 2003. Archived from the original on April 11, 2003. Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "Aravirta HIFK-ruoriin – Karalahti ja Pärssinen uusimmat sopimuspelaajat" . Jatkoaika.com - Kaikki jääkiekosta (in Finnish). March 27, 2003. Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ Grimson, Stu (2019). The Grim Reaper: The Life and Career of a Reluctant Warrior . Penguin. ISBN 9780735237247 . I announced my retirement on June 1, 2003.
^ a b c d e "Predators exercise three options" . UPI . June 30, 2002. Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "Nashville Predators sign defenseman Dan Hamhuis" . Nashville Predators . July 7, 2002. Archived from the original on August 12, 2002. Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ "Nashville Predators agree to terms with defenseman Andy Delmore" . Nashville Predators . July 17, 2002. Archived from the original on August 12, 2002. Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ "+SPORTS TRANSACTIONS FOR THURSDAY, JULY 18+" . UPI . July 18, 2002. Retrieved December 6, 2022 . Nashville Predators -- Agreed to terms with defenseman Cale Hulse.
^ "Nashville Predators agree to terms with center Greg Classen" . Nashville Predators . July 30, 2002. Archived from the original on August 12, 2002. Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ a b "Nashville Predators agree to terms with forwards David Legwand and Bryan Lundbohm" . Nashville Predators . July 31, 2002. Archived from the original on August 12, 2002. Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ "Nashville Predators sign forward Vladimir Orszagh to contract extension" . Nashville Predators . August 1, 2002. Archived from the original on October 25, 2002. Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ a b "Nashville Predators sign goaltender Jan Lasak and defenseman Peter Smrek" . Nashville Predators . September 5, 2002. Archived from the original on October 25, 2002. Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ "Nashville Predators sign forward Darren Haydar" . Nashville Predators . September 10, 2002. Archived from the original on October 25, 2002. Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ "Predators sign top pick Upshall" . UPI . October 7, 2002. Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "Preds sign Jordin Tootoo" . Nashville Predators . May 29, 2003. Archived from the original on June 18, 2003. Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ "ACTIVITY" . The Globe and Mail . May 31, 2003. Retrieved December 6, 2022 . NASHVILLE PREDATORS -- Announced F Oleg Petrov has exercised his 2003-04 contract option.
^ "2002 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com" . hockeyDB.com . Retrieved December 23, 2022 .
Franchise History Personnel Arena Affiliates Media Culture and lore
1990s
1990–91 . 1991–92 . 1992–93 . 1993–94 . 1994–95 . 1995–96 . 1996–97 . 1997–98 . 1998–99
1999–00
2000s 2010s 2020s
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